Single-cell transcriptome atlas of testes from mice with high-fat diets
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Published on: December 8, 2021
Wenbin Cao1,2, Yulin Zhang2, Jia Qi1,2
1Laboratory Animal Center, School of Basic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
Abstract:
Obesity is accompanied by multiple known health risks and increased morbidity, and obese men display reduced reproductive health. However, the impact of obesity on the testes at the molecular levels remain inadequately explored. This is partially attributed to the lack of monitoring tools for tracking alterations within cell clusters in testes associated with obesity. Here, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze over 70,000 cells from testes of obese and lean mice, and to study changes related to obesity in non-spermatogenic cells and spermatogenesis. The Testicular Library encompasses all non-spermatogenic cells and spermatogenic cells spanning from spermatogonia to spermatozoa, which will significantly aid in characterizing alterations in cellular niches and the testicular microenvironment during high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. This comprehensive dataset is indispensable for studying how HFD disrupts cell-cell communication networks within the testis and impacts alterations in the testicular microenvironment that regulate spermatogenesis. Being the inaugural dataset of single-cell RNA-seq in the testes of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, this holds the potential to offer innovative insights and directions in the realm of single-cell transcriptomics concerning male reproductive injury associated with HFD.
Insights
Obesity impacts male reproductive health. This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze testicular cells in obese mice, revealing molecular changes affecting spermatogenesis and the testicular environment.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Endocrinology
- Genomics
Background:
- Obesity is linked to male reproductive health issues, but molecular impacts on testes are poorly understood.
- Lack of tools to track testicular cell changes in obesity hinders research.
- Diet-induced obesity (DIO) models provide insights into metabolic health effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the molecular impact of obesity on testicular cells using single-cell RNA sequencing.
- To characterize alterations in non-spermatogenic and spermatogenic cells during obesity.
- To create a comprehensive single-cell testicular dataset for studying obesity-related reproductive injury.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of over 70,000 testicular cells from obese and lean mice.
- Analysis of non-spermatogenic cells (e.g., Sertoli, Leydig) and spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia to spermatozoa).
- Development of the Testicular Library dataset for studying cellular niches and microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Identification of molecular changes in testicular cells associated with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.
- Characterization of alterations in cellular niches and the testicular microenvironment.
- Mapping of disrupted cell-cell communication networks within the obese testis.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first single-cell RNA-seq dataset for diet-induced obese mouse testes.
- The Testicular Library offers a valuable resource for understanding HFD-induced male reproductive injury.
- Findings pave the way for novel insights into single-cell transcriptomics and male fertility.
